Connect with leaders across Victorian local government, build practical leadership skills, develop new ways to navigate complexity and amplify climate ambition and action.
This leadership program is designed to strengthen the confidence, capability and connections of women and gender-diverse leaders working across and with Victorian local government.
Applications now open!
Delivered by WELA in partnership with the Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action.
WHO
WHEN
WHERE
APPLICATIONS CLOSE
INCLUSIONS
PROGRAM FEES
To support participation across councils of different sizes and resource levels, fees are tiered according to annual council revenue. Not sure which tier applies to you? Contact programs@wela.org.au.
| Tier 1 – $1,540 including GST | Tier 2 – $1,320 including GST | Tier 3 – $1,100 including GST |
| For councils with annual revenue above $150 million. | For councils with annual revenue between $60–150 million. | For councils with annual revenue below $60 million. |
Local governments play a critical role in turning climate and environmental priorities into practical action for their communities – through planning, infrastructure, policy, services and partnerships.
But these challenges don’t sit neatly within one team, council or sector. They require people who can work across boundaries, collaborate effectively and turn shared ambition into action.
Off the back of the success of the 2026 program, the WELA Leadership Intensive will bring women and gender-diverse leaders from across Victorian local government together to build the relationships, systems thinking and leadership skills needed to navigate complexity, influence change and move climate priorities forward.
Lead through complexity
Build practical approaches to systems thinking, influence and decision-making that help you lead change in complex environments.
Build a cross-council network
Strengthen relationships across councils, regions and disciplines, creating new opportunities to collaborate and learn from each other.
Turn ambition into action
Apply your learning to real challenges and identify practical opportunities to advance climate action within your council and across the sector.
100% said the program was worth the investment
100% planned to apply their learning within three months
97% built lasting cross-council relationships
“This was one of the best professional and life learning programs I’ve participated in.”
This program is for women and gender-diverse people working within, or closely alongside, Victorian local government. You don’t need to have a formal leadership title – you just need to be interested in influencing change or feel ready to step into greater leadership.
You might work in:
First Nations participants, people of colour, CALD communities, people living with disability, neurodivergent leaders, LGBTQIA+ communities, volunteers and people working in small, regional and rural councils are strongly encouraged to apply. This may include people working in regional alliances, community organisations or other roles that collaborate closely with councils.
Small-group peer learning and mentoring with experienced leaders and WELA alumni.
You’ll have space to ask questions, share challenges, reflect on your leadership and learn from people working in similar roles and navigating similar challenges.
Work with other participants to explore challenges facing councils and identify opportunities to work together.
You’ll share ideas, compare approaches and develop practical solutions that could be applied at your council or across multiple councils.
Learn practical approaches for understanding complex problems, making decisions, building influence and leading change.
You’ll explore tools including systems thinking, influence mapping, decision-making, resilience and regenerative leadership.
Hear from local government innovators, First Nations knowledge holders, WELA alumni and climate practitioners about the challenges and opportunities they’re seeing across the sector.
By the end of the Leadership Intensive, you’ll have:
You’ll also join WELA’s national Alumni Network and receive a participant playbook with resources to support your leadership beyond the program.
Join a growing network of women and gender-diverse people leading change across Victorian local government and turn complex challenges into collective action.
In your application, you’ll be asked to share:
Applications will be assessed with the aim of creating a diverse cohort of leaders from across Victoria. We’ll let you know if you’ve been successful by the end of November 2026.
Applications close Sunday 8 November 2026 at 11.59pm
For questions about the program, or if you need an alternative application format, please contact programs@wela.org.au
Louise Duxbury
National Leadership Program Lead & Facilitator, WELA
“Success isn’t a room full of people learning about leadership. It’s a network of leaders building the relationships and capability to shift systems together.”
Pasanna Mutha-Merennege
Policy & Advocacy Manager, WELA
“When we create the conditions for women in local government to lead and thrive in their workplaces, we see more inclusive and equitable solutions…we transform our workplaces, our policy responses and our communities”
+ More to be announced!